Books and the silver screen...

[fajrdrako]

From Booking Through Thursday:
1. In your opinion, what is the best translation of a book to a movie?
2. The worst?
3. Had you read the book before seeing the movie, and did that make a difference? (Personally, all other things being equal, I usually prefer whichever I was introduced to first.)

My answers...

1. The best translation of a book to a movie is the Peter Jackson version of The Lord of the Rings. Not the most faithful, and certainly not unflawed, but exactly what a movie adaptation should be - a faithful reflection of what is significant about the books, with the spirit of the story and the characters as they should be. Given the many challenges of these books, it's an amazing achievement.
   
   If I am allowed a secondary answer, I'd also point to the Timothy Dalton version of Jane Eyre. And a third citation: To Kill a Mockingbird.
   
   A special category here must be Sin City and 300 by Frank Miller - both movies amazingly true to the original graphic novels.



2. The Man Without A Face. This was based on a novel I loved by Isabelle Holland, about the friendship between a troubled schoolboy and a teacher who had been disgraced by scandal stemming from the fact that he was gay, and had once had an affair with one of his students. The movie was made by Mel Gibson, and the teacher was not gay, and was wrongfully accused. Different theme entirely. Faugh.



3. I'd read all of these books before seeing the movies, which is generally my pattern; I tend to read more than I see movies. All these books were favourites. Sometimes favourite movies are based on plays. (I'm thinking here of The Lion in Winter and Becket - and I suppose I could throw in Much Ado About Nothing in this category.)
   
   If I disliked a book, would I be likely to see the movie? Probably not, though it doesn't necessarily work that way. I disliked the novel The Bourne Identity and liked the movie. I will quite possibly go to see The Golden Compass even though I didn't like the book at all, and The Dark is Rising (because of Christopher Eccleston) even though I didn't like the book much. I didn't like the book The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe, and then, on seeing the movie, didn't like it either.
   
   This makes it sound as if I don't like juvenile fantasy - not true! I do! I love the works of E. Nesbit, Diana Wynne Jones, J.K. Rowling and Edward Eager.

And that makes me think of all the books I wish they would make into good movies, but which they haven't done at all - the above, of course, and also the works of Georgette Heyer, Amanda Quick, Susan Elizabeth Philips, Jo Beverley, Mary Renault, Dick Francis, Steven Saylor, Greg Rucka, Sue Grafton, Janet Evanovich and Lindsay Davis. And I'd love to see remakes of movies based on authors like Samuel Shellabarger and Raphael Sabitini.

Sometimes I think my taste is really out of step with Hollywood. Other times, I know it is.

Comments

[(Anonymous)]

Ooh, I loved "Much Ado About Nothing." It's one of the few movies that I purchased on both VHS and on DVD, because I loved it that much. It's all wonderful, but that whole scene in the middle with Kenneth Branagh talking about the woman he would want to marry, and overhearing the others talking about Beatrice? Hilarious.

[jadesfire2808.livejournal.com]

I completely agree with you about Lord of the Rings. Catching the spirit of the book is what so many adaptations fail to do, and is so much more important than exact chronology or the inclusion of every little detail.

I also quite enjoyed the first X-men film - not a great film (although it did reflect the comic's obsession with Wolverine, which I don't share...) but great performances from Patrick Stewart and Ian Mackellen, which made up for it.

For the worst, could I nominate Troy? I went with a fellow Classicist, and we were literally waving our arms at the screen at some points. You can't just kill characters off because you feel like it! And if you leave out the gods, who are major characters in The Iliad, yes, it is going to cause you problems. And okay, mostly naked Brad Pitt for most of the film can make up for some deficiencies, but while he's very pretty, he made an utterly unconvincing Achilles. The only good bit of the film was Sean Bean's Odysseus, who they managed to get in character and it was actually a good performance.

I'd love to add Elizabeth Peters to your wishlist - although I'm having problems with casting at the moment... ;) And I'd be first in line to a Steven Saylor film, particularly if it was one of the early ones. I didn't enjoy Northern Lights at all, but loved the Susan Cooper that I read (Over sea, under stone). I'm willing to give The Golden Compass a go, but at least I won't be expecting much :)

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

I agree absolutely - and it's also the only thing I've ever purchased in both VHS and DVD format! Such a brilliant filming of the play, doing justice to Shakespeare but still being creative and original.

I liked Branagh's other movies, but that was the best.

Why did Branagh stop making movies based on Shakespeare?

[idiotgrrl.livejournal.com]

Best: Lord of the Rings, To Kill a Mockingbird, the Winona Ryder version of Little Women, and the BBC version of Pride & Prejudice.

Absolute all-time worst, the movie adaptation of "Starship Troopers."

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

Lord of the Rings. Catching the spirit of the book is what so many adaptations fail to do, and is so much more important than exact chronology or the inclusion of every little detail.

Yes. They captured the sense of scope, and they portrayed Men, Elves and Hobbits in such a way that none of them seemed ludicrous - a feat I would have thought impossible. They recreated the sense of awe and significance that the books build so well. I'd have said only Tolkien could do that, and only with prose. I was so glad to be proved wrong. And they did it without sacrificing the humour and the playfulness in the story, without taking themselves too seriously. Incredible.

I also quite enjoyed the first X-men film - not a great film (although it did reflect the comic's obsession with Wolverine, which I don't share...) but great performances from Patrick Stewart and Ian Mackellen, which made up for it.

I do love Wolverine, though he's not my favourite of the X-Men. (He's in the top ten, though.) And I thought Hugh Jackman did a magnificent job - even though he's too tall and too pretty and maybe even a little to civilized to really convince me he's "my" Wolverine. Patrick Stewart and Ian McKellen were, as always, magnificent.

Yes, Troy was a sad waste of a classic. I must admit that it's a bit of a guilty pleasure for me - not that I have guilty pleasures, oh my, no, but I loved the first five minutes so much I forgave that movie for its numerous atrocities. And Sean Bean - well. Somebody ought to make a movie of the Odyssey, a good one, and cast him.

Elizabeth Peters. Yes, good addition to the list.

Yes, I don't think I can resist going to see The Golden Compass, exclsively for the sake of Daniel Craig - the rest of the cast does nothing for me. But I'm not sure it would be a case of a disappointing book becoming an entertaining movie. The things I disliked - style and characterization, primarily - may be enough changed by the moviemaking process not to bother me. The things I liked - the setting, for example - may have a more prominent place.

Or not. I can't pretend I'm in any hurry to see it.

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

Absolute all-time worst, the movie adaptation of "Starship Troopers."

Oh my goodness. That was so incredibly bad. Worse than bad. I've never read the book and probably never will, but it has a good reputation. The movie? So bad I cringe to remember it.

[jadesfire2808.livejournal.com]

And they did it without sacrificing the humour and the playfulness in the story, without taking themselves too seriously.
I hadn't thought about it like that, but there was a definite lightness of touch about the way it was done that made such a difference. The sheer enjoyment of the filming really came across on the screen.

With Troy, I just can't. It's the foundation text of my subject, and they just messed with it so badly. Plus, my 'special subject' has always been mythology and religion, so leaving the gods out just didn't work for me at all.

The things I disliked - style and characterization, primarily
That's exactly what I disliked. There was something about the style that just kept putting me off - an artificialness or over-cleverness, I think. I kept wanting to say 'yes, that's fine but could we get back to the story now?' It'll be interesting to see what happens.

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

It's the foundation text of my subject, and they just messed with it so badly.

I felt that way about Kingdom of Heaven.

There was something about the style that just kept putting me off - an artificialness or over-cleverness

Yes, that's exactly how I felt. I thought Lyra was a self-important little egotist, and the author's tone was the same. This made me dislike things in the book - like the plot, perhaps? - that I would possibly otherwise have liked. But there was also something annoyingly cynical about it.

[jadesfire2808.livejournal.com]

I thought Lyra was a self-important little egotist, and the author's tone was the same.
*grin* I think that sums it up quite nicely. As a Christian, I obviously had bigger issues with it - I don't mind being argued with, I object to being bashed. I don't mind your telling me I'm wrong, but tell me why. I felt very picked on by the book, which is never a good way to approach fiction...

[silverwhistle.livejournal.com]

1. Il Gattopardo/The Leopard. No contest. Burt Lancaster is Don Fabrizio. And Bendigo the faithful hound is adorable!

2. Too many to think of… Mind, the Errol Flynn Master of Ballantrae is among the worst. It takes one of Stevenson's greatest, darkest novels and turns it into a silly, shallow swashbuckler, and makes one of the most loathsome characters in 19C literature into, well, Errol Flynn.

3. Usually I read the book first, but with Il Gattopardo I saw the film first. I then saw it again, after reading the book, and it still worked.

[silverwhistle.livejournal.com]

I am looking forward to the His Dark Materials films: I think the books knock J K Rowling into a cocked hat any day!

[silverwhistle.livejournal.com]

Personally, I think Christians, and the religious, should be bashed more often… How seriously can one take people who still believe in fairytales?

[silverwhistle.livejournal.com]

I felt that way about Kingdom of Heaven.

That was a dog's breakfast on all levels save the visual.

Yes, that's exactly how I felt. I thought Lyra was a self-important little egotist, and the author's tone was the same. This made me dislike things in the book - like the plot, perhaps? - that I would possibly otherwise have liked. But there was also something annoyingly cynical about it.

I disagree. I like Lyra, and found Pullman's world wonderfully atmospheric.

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

That was a dog's breakfast on all levels save the visual.

I thought the visual could have used a little improvement, too! But... yes, it did have some good sets and costumes.

I like Lyra, and found Pullman's world wonderfully atmospheric.

Most people did. Somehow the style just didn't work for me.

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

In ever even got as far as the Christian issues - or if they were there, I just didn't get it. I didn't feel picked on by the book, but I did feel somewhat alienated by it.

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

I never even got to the part about religion. It was the style I disliked, not the content.

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

I am not a huge fan of Harry Potter (or that style of magic) but I've found the movies mostly entertaining.

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

Yes, Il Gattopardo was wonderful.

Thanks for the warning about The Master of Ballantrae - I'm familiar with the title, but I've never read it or seen any of the filmed versions.

I read Il Gattopardo (in Italian class) before seeing the movie. It was a very similar experience, either way - the movie was extremely faithful to the book.

[silverwhistle.livejournal.com]

Thanks for the warning about The Master of Ballantrae - I'm familiar with the title, but I've never read it or seen any of the filmed versions.

The only good version was a BBC serialisation when I was a kid.
The film changed the geographical setting, misunderstood the historical setting altogether, and made the demonic villain into a swashbuckling hero.

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

I think I've seen references to the BBC serialization. Do you remember who was in it?

[silverwhistle.livejournal.com]

Julian Glover was James Durie, the Master, and Fulton Mackay was the servant who narrates the story.

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

Yes, I've seen references to that. Wanted to see it but never have.

[myfavouriteplum.livejournal.com]

Seconded to 'Il Gattopardo'. Also loved 'I, Claudius' and 'Brideshead Revisited'.

And I enjoyed the Michael York version of 'The Three Musketeers'.

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

I never actually read "I, Claudius". I read some of the other Robert Graves novels - "Count Belisarius" was a favourite - but I found his prose rather boring. The TV series was much better. "Brideshead Revisited" is a case where I saw the filmed version first - and what could be better than Jeremy Irons and Anthony Andrews? I read the book with them firmly in my head. Still haven't read "The Three Musketeers", but I did like the Michael York movie.

[myfavouriteplum.livejournal.com]

'Brideshead Revisited' is a very special book for me: I read the book first, in my last year in college, so I was just in the right mood for it. I also was a little bit in love with one of my roommates then, although she never knew. She used to carry a Teddy Bear around, too. Sometimes when you read a book in the right time, it becomes so right as if it was written for you only.

Broadcasted in China in the early 1990s, the mini-series 'Brideshead Revisited' have many fans here. So before I watched it, I was expecting something great. I was never disappointed. Though at first I thought Anthony Andrews wasn't as young and pretty as Sebastian should be, he grew on me, and after half an hour's watching I was fascinated. I usually prefer voiceovers as less as possible in the book adaptions, but today I can still hear Jeremy Irons' voice saying 'his days in Arcadia were numbered'.

As for "The Three Musketeers", I read the book first, too. While the Michael York film isn't every bits faithful to the book, I think it's very faithful to the spirit of the book: it's fun to watch. Dumas' works are nothing if not great fun.

Several years ago, there used to be a Chinese TV program specifically showing film adaptions of western classical novels, every Saturday after midnight. Most of them were BBC mini-series, or French TV movies(Gerard Depardieu's 'The Count of Monte Cristo' comes to mind). That's how I first watched the Horatio Hornblower series, too. The program is gone now, to my great regrets.

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

She used to carry a Teddy Bear around, too.

Oh, how wonderful!

Sometimes when you read a book in the right time, it becomes so right as if it was written for you only.

That is so very true.

Though at first I thought Anthony Andrews wasn't as young and pretty as Sebastian should be, he grew on me, and after half an hour's watching I was fascinated.

I saw the TV series first, and so had no expectations of Sebastian. I was totally charmed immediately: I thought Anthony Andrews was brilliant. Just the right touches of snobbery and vulnerability and inventiveness.

Dumas' works are nothing if not great fun.

And they really do film well.

Several years ago, there used to be a Chinese TV program specifically showing film adaptions of western classical novels, every Saturday after midnight.

I wish we had something like that! We do of course get these shows, but I know of no easy way to know when or where they will pop up.

Gerard Depardieu's 'The Count of Monte Cristo' comes to mind

I still haven't seen the end of that - I watched the first few episodes and totally loved it.

The program is gone now, to my great regrets.

That's a shame. Why do the best ones disappear? (Rhetorical question. Because fate is not always kind, that's all.)

[myfavouriteplum.livejournal.com]

"Just the right touches of snobbery and vulnerability and inventiveness."

Very true. Great beauty he is not; but he has such elegant body languages. Through the performance you can see exactly why Charles is attracted to Sebastian and why Sebastian is attracted to self-destruction.

"I wish we had something like that! We do of course get these shows, but I know of no easy way to know when or where they will pop up."

I remember how I used to expect Saturday nights: will they show a story I've already read and loved, or a story I've yet to encountered? Both were welcome. There are still some film adaptions on the program that I don't know the books' English/French titles and authors. Some will be mystery to me forever, I guess.

"Gerard Depardieu's 'The Count of Monte Cristo' comes to mind"

I think it's definitely one of the better filmed versions of the novel. Only mini-series can do justice to a novel like 'The Count of Monte Cristo'. The only problem is that I hate Gerard Depardieu with a passion...

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

Sorry, I almost neglected to answer this! You've probably forgotten the conversation by now - we were talking about Anthony Andrews and Brideshead Revisited -

Through the performance you can see exactly why Charles is attracted to Sebastian and why Sebastian is attracted to self-destruction.

Absolutley. It's the best portrayal of an 'outsider' character that I can recall in television.

The only problem is that I hate Gerard Depardieu with a passion...


Really? Any particular reason, or just his general style? I like him, but I've by no means seen all his work - or even a large portion of it. He has been in an amazing number of shows and movies. I like it that he has portrayed such a range of characters and genres, and achieved star status without being particulary attractive.

Or maybe I just like it that he often does historical material. I love costume dramas.